The Senegal international would compete with Kepa Arrizabalaga and Willy Caballero to be Chelsea’s first-choice ‘keeper

1:41

Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol has the latest on Chelsea’s move for Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy

Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal to sign goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from French club Rennes.

The goalkeeper would become Chelsea’s eighth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Xavier Mbuyamba, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr and Kai Havertz.

If the deal can be tied up, Mendy would compete with Kepa Arrizabalaga and Willy Caballero to be the club’s first-choice ‘keeper.

Mendy did not train with Rennes on Friday morning, even though they are playing Nimes on Sunday.

He was, though, at the Rennes training ground with his representative for talks with the club.

Mendy has already told Rennes he wants to move to Chelsea.

The 28-year-old would be following in the footsteps of Petr Cech, who made the same move from Rennes to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2004.

Cech is now Chelsea’s technical director and will almost certainly have been involved in identifying Mendy as a transfer target.

3:26

N’Golo Kante is reportedly a target for Inter Milan but the Good Morning Transfers panel think Chelsea still need the services of the World Cup winner

Chelsea, who conceded 54 goals in 38 Premier League games last season – the most of any top-half side, were also said to be interested in another Ligue 1 goalkeeper in Lille’s Mike Maignan.

However, Lille wanted £32m for the 25-year-old, which was some way higher than the expected £22m valuation of the player.

Chelsea have also been linked with several other goalkeepers, including Jan Oblak, Nick Pope and Andre Onana.

Lampard ambitions

Armed with an expensive new squad, the pressure will be on Frank Lampard to deliver.

Ahead of the new season, we look at Chelsea’s strengths, weaknesses and what the targets will be for boss Lampard.

Read the full feature here.

0:48

Frank Lampard says his side need to follow the lead of Liverpool and Manchester City if they are to challenge for the title

What makes Havertz special?

Sky Sports feature writer Adam Bate takes a look at the inside story of Kai Havertz and his Bayer Leverkusen rise.

In conversation with Kai Havertz’s former coach, the player’s journey is traced from his breakthrough season to the superstar of today, identifying the qualities that make him so special.

Read the full feature here.

Transfer Centre LIVE!

All the latest news, analysis and rumours from the window in one place.

The summer transfer window will run for 10 weeks from July 27 and close at 11pm on October 5.

A domestic-only window for trades between the Premier League and EFL then runs from October 5 and closes on Friday October 16 at 5pm. Follow all the news and analysis on Sky Sports News and across Sky Sports’ digital platforms, including with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.

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